Splash shield



July 13, 1.965 c. A. FUNK SPLASH SHIELD Filed Feb. 12, 1964 NF 5 4 5 flB c United States Patent 3,193,845 SILASH SHIELD Charles A. Funk, Cottage St., Hainesport, NJ. Filed Feb. 12, 1964, Ser. No. 344,302 3 Claims. (Cl. 41)

This invention relates generally to commode shields and more particularly to a collapsible urine splash shield employed in conjunction with a commode bowl and seat.

Cleanliness and sanitation is a primary consideration in a bathroom which requires special cleaners and detergents due to the nature of the filth. One of the chief causes of the unsanitary conditions found in the bathroom can be attributed to urine splash from and around the commode. It is well known that urine tends to fade, discolor, and deteriorate various materials which might be found in the bathroom such as floors, rugs, curtains, and synthetic tile. Therefore,yif urine splash can be eliminated, or confined to the bowl of a commode, the majority of the sanitation problems involved with a bathroom would be solved.

However, those shield structures which are of a permanent character or nature, cannot be easily cleaned and are apt to accumulate filth and, therefore, not practical in their intended use.

It is, therefore, a primary object of this invention to provide a commode shield which will eliminate urine splash from and around a commode bowl.

Another object of this invention is to provide a commode shield which will not assist in the accumulation of unwanted filth.

Still another object of this invention is to provide a commode shield which can be disposable.

Yet another object of this invention is to provide a commode shield which is effective in its intended purpose while not obstructing other uses of the commode.

And another object of this invention is to provide a commode shield which may be absorbent in character to eliminate any accumulation of filth on or between its structure and the commode bowl.

These and other objects will be more fully realized from the novel structure of this invention which generally includes a pleated and collapsible shield disposed for attachment to the bowl of a commodate. The shield is constructed in such a fashion which allows it to fold upon itself when the seat is lowered onto the bowl and to expand to a shielding position when the seat is raised from the bowl.

The invention, however, will be fore fully realized and understood from the following detailed description when taken in conjunction with the accompanying drawing wherein:

FIGURE 1 is a broken and sectional side elevational view of one embodiment of the present invention; and

FIGURE 2 is a broken and sectional side elevational View of another embodiment of the invention.

Like reference numerals throughout the views of the drawing are intended to designate the same or similar structures.

With particular reference .to FIGURE 1, there is shown therein one preferred form of the invent-ion. The shield is generally designated with the reference numeral 10. The shield includes a plurality of pleats 12 which allow contraction and expansion with lowering and raising of a seat 14.

The shield is attached to the rim of a bowl 16 of the commode in the preferred form of the invention with an adhesive tape 18. The same type of tape may be employed to secure the shield to the seat of the commode.

The embodiment of FIGURE 1 includes two sets of pleats each disposed at a respective side of bowl 16.

Each set of pleats performs in the same fashion as an expandable hand fan. A strip 20 extends between each of the sets of plea-ts at the back and is secured to the back of the commode and to the seat by tapes 18. Another strip 22 joins the front of each set of pleats and is secured to the front rim of bowl 16 by tape 18.

Strip 20, being secured across the bottom back portion of seat 14, prevents waste from coming in contact with that portion of the seat. It is well known that this portion of the seat is most likely to become splashed with human wastes. Furthermore, strip 22 and tape 18 protect the front part of the bowl rim in the same manner.

The entire shield may be water repellent, but in the preferred form of the invention, the device is made of absorbent material. Such materials will absorb all of the liquid wastes which fall thereon. It is preferable that the shield be disposable so that these Wastes may be removed at selected intervals. This feature further increases the sanitary condition of the bathroom.

Each set of pleats functions to fold upon itself such that when the seat is lowered the shield does not interfere with other functions of the commode. When the seat is raised, however, the shield expands to the position shown and functions to protect the surrounding area from any splash or spray of human waste.

The embodiment of FIGURE 2 includes a set of horizontally disposed pleats which are fastened by tapes 18 to the front and back of the commode bowl. This form of the invention is not secured to the seat. As shown, the shape of the shield is the same as the rim of the bowl, however, and may be provided with an opening in the front thereof for permitting freer use of the commode. When the seat is lowered, the shield of FIGURE 2 is folded downwardly upon itself and held in a confined position between the seat and the bowl. When the seat is raised, the shield extends to the position shown to protect the surrounding area from splash, etc.

It can be seen that this form of the invention protects the sides of the bowl rim as well as preventing waste from splashing out of the commode. It is preferred that this form of the invention also be absorbent and disposable to provide the advantages offered by the embodiment of FIGURE 1.

A central opening indicated by the numeral 24 through the shield allows use of the commode when the seat is either in the raised or lowered position. The shape of the shield may be either round or square to provide the designated results. The shield may be opened at the front to further facilitate its intended use and the sides may be joined by the strip 22 of the embodiment of FIG- URE 1.

The principles of the invention explained in connection with the specific exemplifications thereon will suggest many other applications and modifications of the same. It is accordingly desired that, in construing the breadth of the appended claims they shall not be limited to the specific details shown and described in connection with the exemplifications thereof.

What is claimed is:

1. In combination with a commode having a bowl and a seat, a splash shield having pleated surfaces, each of said surfaces being compressed at one end thereof and secured to the back of the bowl, a strip secured between the other ends of said surfaces and to a front of the bowl, and the seat disposed for compressing and expanding sa-id surfaces when lowered and raised respectively with respect to the bowl.

2. In combination with a commode having a bowl and a seat, a splash shield having liquid absorbing surfaces each including a plurality of pleats therein; means for securing one end of said pleats to the back of the when the seat is lowered onto the bowl and for-expat sion when the seat is raised'from the bowl.

3. In combination with a comm-ode having a bowl' and a seat, a splash shield having pleatedsurfaees, means connecting said shield to the bowl, and said seat dis- 7 Y 4 'posed for compressing and expanding said shield when lowered and raised respectivelywith respect to the bowl.

References Cited by the Examiner UNITED STATES PATENTS 3,071,778 1/63 Renshaw 4-1 EDWARD v. BENHAM, Primary Examiner. 

3. IN COMBINATION WITH A COMMODE HAVING A BOWL AND A SEAT, A SPLASH SHIELD HAVING PLEATED SURFACES, MEANS CONNECTING SAID SHIELD TO THE BOWL, AND SAID SEAT DISPOSED FOR COMPRESSING AND EXPANDING SAID SHIELD WHEN LOWERED AND RAISED RESPECTIVELY WITH RESPECT TO THE BOWL. 